Gaming Machine Accepting Side Bet And Control Method Thereof

ABSTRACT

A gaming machine according to the present invention includes: a gaming portion where a plurality of main dice roll and stop; a station having an input device with which a player can place a normal BET and a side BET different from the normal BET on a prediction of the outcomes of dice, and an image display capable of displaying an image; and a controller programmed to execute the processing of (C) rolling and stopping the plurality of the main dice in the gaming portion, (D) determining the outcome of a sub die to be displayed to the image display provided in the station, and (E) displaying at least an image showing the state of stopping of the sub die with the outcome determined in the processing (D), to the image display provided in the station where the side BET has been input.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of priority based on U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 61/028,410 filed on Feb. 13, 2008. The contentsof this application are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine accepting a side BETand a control method thereof.

2. Discussion of the Background

There have been conventionally known a variety of table games, and forexample, as disclosed in WO 07/016,776-A1, US 2007/0026947-A1, and U.S.Pat. No. 5,413,351, a game genre called a dice game exists among thosetable games.

Among the dice games, there exists, for example, a gaming method inwhich a dealer throws dice after a player has performed a BET operation,and in the case where the dealer throws a predetermined combination, theplayer can throw dice to obtain a high payout, as disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 5,413,351. Further, in Asia, Sic Bo is known as a long-time familiardice game in which a player places a BET based on a prediction of theoutcomes of three dice.

Sic Bo is widely known as an ancient Chinese dice game. In Sic Bo, aplayer places a BET based on a prediction of the outcomes of therespective three dice or a combination of the outcomes of the threedice. The way of placing a BET and payout rates are displayed on a tablewhere a player is seated (or they may be displayed to an image display).The table is provided with: an area for placing a BET based on aprediction of the outcome of one die; an area for placing a BET based ona prediction that the outcomes of two dice will be the same; an area forplacing a BET based on a prediction that the outcomes of the three dicewill be the same; an area for placing a BET based on a prediction of acombination of the outcomes of two dice; an area for placing a BET basedon a prediction of the total value of the outcomes of the three dice;and the like. As for the payout, although it cannot be uniformly set dueto different circumstances of regions, countries, or the like, it hasbeen set to the degree of 1:1 to 1:180 according to an appearanceprobability.

Since the dice game disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,351 is executedaccording to a particular rule, there has been a problem that the gameis unfamiliar to the player and lacks interesting aspects. Further, intypical Sic Bo widely known, types of BETs are limited and hence theplayer might soon be tired of the game.

An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machinecapable of enhancing interesting aspects of a game so as to prevent aplayer from becoming tired of the game, and a control method of thegaming machine.

The contents of WO 07/016,776-A1, US 2007/0026947-A1, and U.S. Pat. No.5,413,351 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the present invention provides a gaming machine havingthe following configuration.

Namely, the gaming machine includes: a gaming portion in which aplurality of main dice roll and stop; a station having an input devicewith which a player can place a normal BET and a side BET different fromthe normal BET, based on a prediction of the outcomes of dice, and animage display capable of displaying an image; and a controller. Thecontroller is programmed to execute the processing of (A) accepting thenormal BET from the input device provided in the station, (B) acceptingthe side BET from the input device provided in the station, (C) rollingand stopping the plurality of the main dice in the gaming portion, (D)determining the outcome of a sub die to be displayed to the imagedisplay provided in the station, (E) displaying at least an imageshowing the state of stopping of the sub die with the outcome determinedin the processing (D), to the image display provided in the stationwhere the side BET has been input, (F) offering a normal payout based onthe outcomes of the plurality of the main dice stopped in the processing(C) and the normal BET accepted in the processing (A), and (G) offeringa special payout based on the outcomes of the plurality of the main dicestopped in the processing (C), the outcome of the sub die displayed inthe processing (E), and the side BET accepted in the processing (B).

According to the above-mentioned gaming machine, a side BET can be inputbased on a prediction of the outcomes of a plurality of main dice andthe outcome of a sub die. Since the number of betting objects is largein the side BET as compared with the normal BET in which only theoutcomes of the plurality of the main dice are predicted, a player haswider options in betting so as to be prevented from becoming tired ofthe game. Further, with the number of dice increased, a betting objecthaving an extremely low appearance probability is generated; hence, forexample by increasing a payout rate of that betting object, it ispossible to make the player have a high expectation toward a highpayout.

According to the above-mentioned gaming machine, two types of BETs andpayouts, a normal payout for the normal BET and a special payout for theside BET, are prepared. Therefore, it is possible to make the playerfeel enjoyment which cannot be felt in the conventional dice games andto improve the interesting aspect of the game.

An image showing the state of stopping of the sub die is displayed onlyin a station where the side BET has been input. Hence, it is possible tohave a player, who is playing a game in the station where the imageshowing the state of stopping of the sub die is displayed, to indulge ina feeling of superiority.

It is desirable that the gaming machine further has the followingconfiguration.

The processing (D) includes determining, every time an input of the sideBET is accepted in the processing (B), the outcome of a sub die to bedisplayed to the image display provided in the station where theaccepted input of the side BET has been entered.

Every time the input of the side BET is accepted, the outcome of the subdie, which is to be displayed to the image display in the station wherethe accepted input of the side BET has been entered, is determined;therefore, the outcome of the sub die varies depending on each station.Namely, even when a plurality of players have placed the side BET on thesame betting object, since the outcome of the sub die varies in eachstation, the prediction of one player comes true while that of anotherplayer does not. Therefore, it is possible to make the player play agame with enjoyment as compared with the case of uniformly determiningthe outcome of the sub die, thereby making the player engrossed in thegame.

It is desirable that the gaming machine further has the followingconfiguration.

The controller is further programmed so as to execute processing of (H)determining whether or not the side BET has been accepted in theprocessing (B). Further, the processing (E) includes displaying an imageshowing the state of stopping of the sub die with the outcome determinedin the processing (D) to the image display provided in the station wherethe side BET has been input, after displaying an image showing the stateof rolling of the sub die upon determination of acceptance of the sideBET in the processing (H).

When it is determined that the side BET has been accepted, an imageshowing the state of rolling of the sub die is displayed to the imagedisplay provided in the station. This allows the player to see thatanother player has placed a side BET when looking at display of an imageshowing the state of rolling of a sub die in a station where anotherplayer is playing a game. Therefore, according to the above-mentionedgaming machine, it is possible to have players around the player havingplaced the side BET to feel a desire to place a side BET.

It is desirable that the gaming machine further has the followingconfiguration.

The processing (G) includes offering a special payout in amountcorresponding to the number of dice with the same outcome.

According to the above-mentioned gaming machine, a special payout inamount according to the number of dice with the same outcome is offered.Since the amount of the special payout can be determined in an easilyunderstandable manner, it is possible to allow even a beginner to play agame without having a sense of discomfort.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a gaming machinehaving the following configuration.

Namely, the gaming machine includes: a main image display capable ofdisplaying an image; a station having an input device with which aplayer can place a normal BET and a side BET different from the normalBET, based on a prediction of the outcomes of dice, and an image displaycapable of displaying an image; and a controller. The controller isprogrammed to execute the processing of (A) accepting the normal BETfrom the input device provided in the station, (B) accepting the sideBET from the input device provided in the station, (C) determining theoutcomes of a plurality of main dice to be displayed to the main imagedisplay, (D) displaying at least an image showing the state of stoppingof the plurality of the main dice with the outcomes determined in theprocessing (C), to the main image display, (E) determining the outcomeof a sub die to be displayed to the image display provided in thestation, (F) displaying at least an image showing the state of stoppingof the sub die with the outcome determined in the processing (E), to theimage display provided in the station where the side BET has been input,(G) offering a normal payout based on the outcomes of the plurality ofthe main dice displayed in the processing (D) and the normal BETaccepted in the processing (A), and (H) offering a special payout basedon the outcomes of the plurality of the main dice displayed in theprocessing (D), the outcome of the sub die displayed in the processing(F), and the side BET accepted in the processing (B).

According to the above-mentioned gaming machine, a side BET can be inputbased on a prediction of the outcomes of the plurality of the main diceand the outcome of the sub die. Since the number of betting objects islarge in the side BET as compared with the normal BET in which only theoutcomes of the plurality of the main dice are predicted, the player haswider options in betting so as to be prevented from becoming tired ofthe game. Further, since the increase in number of dice generates abetting object having an extremely low appearance probability, forexample by increasing a payout rate of that betting object, it ispossible to make the player have a high expectation toward a highpayout.

According to the above-mentioned gaming machine, two types of BETs andpayouts, a normal payout for the normal BET and a special payout for theside BET, are prepared. Therefore, it is possible to make the playerfeel enjoyment which cannot be felt in the conventional dice games andto improve the interesting aspect of the game.

An image showing the state of stopping of the sub die is displayed onlyin a station where the side BET has been input. Hence, it is possible tohave a player, who is playing a game in the station where the imageshowing the state of stopping of the sub die is displayed, to indulge ina feeling of superiority.

It is desirable that the gaming machine further has the followingconfiguration.

The processing (E) includes determining, every time an input of the sideBET is accepted in the processing (B), the outcome of a sub die to bedisplayed to the image display provided in the station where theaccepted input of the side BET has been entered.

Every time the input of the side BET is accepted, the outcome of the subdie, which is to be displayed to the image display provided in thestation where the accepted input of the side BET has been entered, isdetermined; therefore, the outcome of the sub die varies depending oneach station. Namely, even when a plurality of players have placed theside BET on the same betting object, since the outcome of the sub dievaries in each station, the prediction of one player comes true whilethat of another player does not. Therefore, it is possible to make theplayer play a game with enjoyment as compared with the case of uniformlydetermining the outcome of the sub die, thereby making the playerengrossed in the game.

It is desirable that the gaming machine further has the followingconfiguration.

The controller is further programmed so as to execute processing of (I)determining whether or not the side BET has been accepted in theprocessing (B). Further, the processing (F) includes displaying an imageshowing the state of stopping of the sub die with the outcome determinedin the processing (E) to the image display provided in the station wherethe side BET has been input, after displaying an image showing the stateof rolling of the sub die upon determination of acceptance of the sideBET in the processing (I).

When it is determined that the side BET has been accepted, an imageshowing the state of rolling of the sub die is displayed to the imagedisplay provided in the station. This allows the player to see thatanother player has placed a side BET when looking at display of an imageshowing the state of rolling of a sub die in a station where anotherplayer is playing a game. Therefore, according to the above-mentionedgaming machine, it is possible to have players around the player havingplaced the side BET to feel a desire to place a side BET.

It is desirable that the gaming machine further has the followingconfiguration.

The processing (H) includes offering a special payout in amountaccording to the number of dice with the same outcome.

According to the above-mentioned gaming machine, a special payout inamount according to the number of dice with the same outcome is offered.Since the amount of the special payout can be determined in an easilyunderstandable manner, it is possible to allow even a beginner to play agame without having a sense of discomfort.

The present invention further provides a control method of the gamingmachine, having the following configuration.

Namely, the control method includes the steps of: (A) accepting a normalBET from an input device with which a player can place the normal BETand a side BET different from the normal BET, based on a prediction ofthe outcomes of dice, the input device being provided in a station; (B)accepting the side BET from the input device provided in the station;(C) rolling and stopping a plurality of main dice in a gaming portion inwhich the plurality of the main dice roll and stop; (D) determining theoutcome of a sub die to be displayed to an image display capable ofdisplaying an image, the image display being provided in the station;(E) displaying at least an image showing the state of stopping of thesub die with the outcome determined in the step (D), to the imagedisplay provided in the station where the side BET has been input; (F)offering a normal payout based on the outcomes of the plurality of themain dice stopped in the step (C) and the normal BET accepted in thestep (A); and (G) offering a special payout based on the outcomes of theplurality of the main dice stopped in the step (C), the outcome of thesub die displayed in the step (E), and the side BET accepted in the step(B).

According to the above-mentioned control method of the gaming machine, aside BET can be input based on a prediction of the outcomes of theplurality of the main dice and the outcome of the sub die. Since thenumber of betting objects is large in the side BET as compared with thenormal BET in which only the outcomes of the plurality of the main diceare predicted, the player has wider options in betting so as to beprevented from becoming tired of the game. Further, with the number ofdice increased, a betting object having an extremely low appearanceprobability is generated; hence, for example by increasing a payout rateof that betting object, it is possible to make the player have a highexpectation toward a high payout.

According to the above-mentioned control method of the gaming machine,two types of BETs and payouts, a normal payout for the normal BET and aspecial payout for the side BET, are prepared. Therefore, it is possibleto make the player feel enjoyment which cannot be felt in theconventional dice games and to improve the interesting aspect of thegame.

An image showing the state of stopping of the sub die is displayed onlyin a station where the side BET has been input. Hence, it is possible tohave a player, who is playing a game in the station where the imageshowing the state of stopping of the sub die is displayed, to indulge ina feeling of superiority.

The present invention further provides a control method of the gamingmachine, having the following configuration.

Namely, the control method includes the steps of: (A) accepting a normalBET from an input device with which a player can place the normal BETand a side BET different from the normal BET, based on a prediction ofthe outcomes of dice, the input device being provided in a station; (B)accepting the side BET from the input device provided in the station;(C) determining the outcomes of a plurality of main dice to be displayedto a main image display capable of displaying an image; (D) displayingat least an image showing the state of stopping of the plurality of themain dice with the outcomes determined in the processing (C), to themain image display; (E) determining the outcome of a sub die to bedisplayed to an image display capable of displaying an image, the imagedisplay being provided in the station; (F) displaying at least an imageshowing the state of stopping of the sub die with the outcome determinedin the step (E), to the image display provided in the station where theside BET has been input; (G) offering a normal payout based on theoutcomes of the plurality of the main dice displayed in the step (D) andthe normal BET accepted in the step (A); and (H) offering a specialpayout based on the outcomes of the plurality of the main dice displayedin the step (D), the outcome of the sub die displayed in the step (F),and the side BET accepted in the step (B).

According to the above-mentioned control method of a gaming machine, aside BET can be input based on a prediction of the outcomes of theplurality of the main dice and the sub die. Since the number of bettingobjects is large in the side BET as compared with the normal BET inwhich only the outcomes of the plurality of the main dice are predicted,the player has wider options in betting so as to be prevented frombecoming tired of the game. Further, with the number of dice increased,a betting object having an extremely low appearance probability isgenerated; hence, for example by increasing a payout rate of thatbetting object, it is possible to make the player have a highexpectation toward a high payout.

According to the above-mentioned control method of a gaming machine,payouts for two types of BETs, a normal payout for the normal BET and aspecial payout for the side BET, are prepared. Therefore, it is possibleto make the player feel enjoyment which cannot be felt in theconventional dice games and to improve the interesting aspect of thegame.

An image showing the state of stopping of the sub die is displayed onlyin a station where the side BET has been input. Hence, it is possible tohave a player, who is playing a game in the station where the imageshowing the state of stopping of the sub die is displayed, to indulge ina feeling of superiority.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exemplary view showing a display screen displayed to animage display.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing one example of agaming machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a gaming portion of the gaming machineshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a view schematically showing a channel from collection torelease of main dice in the gaming portion.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of anoutcome detecting device in the gaming machine shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary view showing a display screen displayed to theimage display.

FIG. 7 is another exemplary view showing a display screen displayed tothe image display.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of thegaming machine shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of one ofthe stations shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 10A is a flowchart showing game processing according to the presentembodiment.

FIG. 10B is another flowchart showing game processing according to thepresent embodiment.

FIG. 10C is another flowchart showing game processing according to thepresent embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a view showing a characteristic of a gaming machine of thepresent embodiment, and an exemplary view showing a display screendisplayed to an image display.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing one example of gamingmachines according to the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, a gaming machine 1 according to the presentembodiment includes: a cabinet 2 to be a body portion; a gaming portion3 which is provided at the substantially central portion of the uppersurface of the cabinet 2 and within which a plurality of main dice 70roll and stop; and a plurality of (10 units in the present embodiment)stations 4 provided so as to surround the gaming portion 3. Each of thestations 4 includes an image display 7. A player seated at each station4 inputs a normal BET based on a prediction of the outcomes of the maindice 70, to participate in a game. Further, the player seated at eachstation 4 inputs a side BET based on a prediction of the outcomes of themain dice 70 and the outcome of a sub die 700 displayed to the imagedisplay 7.

In FIG. 1, a sub dice stop image 242 showing the state of stopping ofthe sub die 700 is displayed on the lower right portion of a liquidcrystal screen 36 provided in the image display 7. In the presentembodiment, the sub dice stop image 242 is displayed to the imagedisplay 7 provided in the station 4 having accepted the side BET inputfrom the player.

FIG. 2 is the perspective view schematically showing one example of thegaming machines according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is anenlarged view showing the gaming portion of the gaming machine shown inFIG. 2; and FIG. 4 is a view schematically showing a channel fromcollection to release of the main dice in the gaming portion.

The gaming machine 1 includes: the cabinet 2 to be the body portion; thegaming portion 3 which is provided at the substantially central portionof the upper surface of the cabinet 2 and in which the plurality of themain dice 70 roll and stop; and the plurality of (10 units in thepresent embodiment) the stations 4 provided so as to surround the gamingportion 3.

Each of the stations 4 includes: a game media accepting device 5 intowhich game media such as medals for use in a game are inserted; acontrol portion 6 having a plurality of control buttons and the like,with which a player inputs predetermined commands; and the image display7 to which an image regarding a BET table, and the like are displayed.While looking at the image displayed to the image display 7, the playeroperates the control portion 6 and the like so as to participate in agame.

On the side surfaces of the cabinet 2 where the stations 4 areinstalled, there are provided for each station 4 a payout exit 8 fromwhich the game media are paid out. Further, on the right side above theimage display 7 of each station 4, speakers 9 capable of outputting asound are provided.

The control portion 6 is provided beside the image display 7 of thestation 4. In the control portion 6, a confirmation button 30, a paybackbutton 31 and a help button 32 are arranged in the order from the left,when seen from a position facing to the station 4.

The confirmation button 30 is pressed when a BET operation is confirmedafter the BET operation has been performed. Further, for operationsother than the BET operations, the player also presses the confirmationbutton 30 to confirm an input that the player has entered.

The payback button 31 is typically pressed after a game has been ended.When the payback button 31 is pressed, game media according to creditsowned by the player is paid back from the payout exit 8.

The help button 32 is pressed when the game playing manner or the likeis unclear. Immediately after the help button 32 is pressed, a helpimage showing information on a variety of operations is displayed to theimage display 7.

In the gaming portion 3, the plurality of the main dice 70 are rolledand stopped. In the present embodiment, the gaming machine 1 has aconfiguration in which three main dice 70 (a main die 70A, a main die70B and a main die 70C) are used in the gaming portion 3.

The gaming portion 3 is formed in a circular shape and includes: a dicereleasing portion 3 a from which the main dice 70 are released; arotating plate 3 b that rotates the main dice 70 sequentially releasedfrom the dice releasing portion 3 a; and a stopping plate 3 c thatfinally stops the main dice 70 rotating on the rotating plate 3 b.

The dice releasing portion 3 a is installed in a circular outer frame 3Fconfiguring the gaming portion 3, and from here, the main dice 70A to70C are sequentially (or simultaneously) released toward the rotatingplate 3 b. It is to be noted that in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main dice 70 aredrawn in a large size as compared with the dice releasing portion 3 afor the sake of facilitating the description.

The rotating plate 3 b has a shape of a truncated cone, as shown in FIG.4. On the lower surface portion of the rotating plate 3 b, a pluralityof driving rollers 3 d are rotatably provided in a state in contact withthe rotating plate 3 b. Simultaneously with start of a game, theplurality of the rotating rollers 3 d are rotationally driven by arotating-plate driving motor 300A, to rotationally drive the rotatingplate 3 b. It is to be noted that on the front surface of the rotatingplate 3 b, projections 3 h are provided at predetermined intervals,which flip the respective main dice so as to facilitate rolling thereofwhen the rotating plate 3 b is rotationally driven.

The stopping plate 3 c is configured in a circular plate shape at thebottom portion of the rotating plate 3 b having a shape of a truncatedcone, and is an area where the main dice 70 rotating on the rotatingplate 3 b finally stop after dropping along the inclination of therotating plate 3 b following the stop of the rotating plate 3 b. Namely,the main dice 70 released from the dice releasing portion 3 a rotate onthe surface of the rotating plate 3 b by rotation of the rotating plate3 b, and drop along the inclination of the rotating plate 3 b with thestop of the rotating plate 3 b. Then, the main dice 70 finally stop onthe stopping plate 3 c.

As shown in FIG. 4, the stopping plate 3 c is configured to be slidinglydriven by a stopping-plate driving motor 300B. With the stopping plate 3c slidingly driven, the main dice 70 drop toward a collection/releasemechanism 10.

The collection/release mechanism 10 includes: a housing portion 10 athat receives the main dice 70 having dropped from the stopping plate 3c; a carrying mechanism 10 b that carries the main dice 70 inside thehousing portion 10 a toward the dice releasing portion 3 a; and acarriage driving motor 300C that drives the carrying mechanism 10 b. Theconfiguration of the collection/release mechanism 10 is not limited to aspecific form, so long as it is a configuration capable of collectingthe main dice 70 after a later-described outcome detecting device 15 hascompleted detection of the outcomes of the respective main dice 70having stopped on the stopping plate 3 c, and releasing the main dice 70from the dice releasing portion 3 a, toward the rotating plate 3 b.Namely, for example, the carrying mechanism 10 b can be conducted in avariety of forms, such as a configuration in which the carryingmechanism 10 b carries the main dice 70 by air pressure from the housingportion 10 a toward the dice releasing portion 3 a, and a configurationin which the carrying mechanism 10 b carries the main dice 70 by aconveyor-like carrier from the housing portion 10 a toward the dicereleasing portion 3 a.

The gaming portion 3 is covered at its whole upper portion by ahemispheric covering member 12 made of transparent acrylic, andtherefore the rotating range of the main dice 70 is regulated. In thepresent embodiment, the outcome detecting device 15 that detects theoutcomes of the main dice 70 is installed on the top of the coveringmember 12. It is to be noted that in FIG. 2, the covering member 12 isdrawn so as to cover only part of the gaming portion 3 for the sake offacilitating the description.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of theoutcome detecting device in the gaming machine shown in FIG. 2.

The outcome detecting device 15 in the present embodiment includes animaging device (CCD camera) 17 that photographs the main dice 70 beingthe photographic subject, and an outcome detecting circuit 18 thatprocesses the imaging signal from the imaging device 17 and then detectsthe outcomes of the main dice 70.

The imaging device 17 is previously made by a focus lens 17 a to have afocus consistent with the stopping plate 3 c in order to photograph themain dice 70 on the stopping plate 3 c, and is exposure-controlled. Theoutcome detecting circuit 18 includes: a subject recognizing portion 19that receives an imaging signal from the imaging device 17 to recognizea position of a subject (main dice 70); a brightness calculating portion20 that calculates brightness of the image of the subject (image of themain dice) recognized in the subject recognizing portion 19; arecognition processing portion 21 that identifies the outcomes of themain dice 70; an outcome data storing portion 22 in which comparisondata regarding the outcomes of the main dice 70 is stored; a control RAM23; and a control CPU 24 that controls these units. These units areconnected to one another through a bus, and controlled by the controlCPU 24.

From the imaging signal of the main dice 70 received from the imagingdevice 17, intensity distribution of the image is measured in thesubject recognizing portion 19. Measuring the intensity distributionallows identification of the positions of the main dice 70 on thestopping plate 3 c and the surface states of the main dice 70. In therecognition processing portion 21, the identified data is subjected toprocessing of comparison with the comparison data previously stored inthe outcome data storing portion 22, to identify the outcomes of themain dice 70.

The identified outcome information is stored into the control RAM 23,and transmitted to a later-described main control portion 80 through aninterface 25. Namely, the outcome detecting device 15 identifies theoutcomes of the three main dice 70 having stopped in the gaming portion3, and transmits the identified outcome information to the main controlportion 80.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary view showing the display screen displayed to theimage display.

As shown in FIG. 6, the image display 7 is a touch-panel-type liquidcrystal display having a touch panel 35 installed on its front surface;the player can select an icon and the like displayed to the liquidcrystal screen 36 by touching the touch panel 35 with his/her finger orthe like.

During the game, a table-type betting board (normal BET screen) 40 to beused for predicting the outcomes of the main dice 70 is displayed to theimage display 7 at a predetermined timing.

The normal BET screen 40 is specifically described.

Within the normal BET screen 40, a plurality of BET areas 41 (a BET area41A, a BET area 41B, a BET area 41C, a BET area 41D, a BET area 41E, aBET area 41F, a BET area 41G, a BET area 41H) are displayed, and anormal BET operation is performed by touching the touch panel 35 withthe finger or the like to specify the BET area 41, and making chipsdisplayed in the specified BET area 41.

In the lower portion of the normal BET screen 40, there are displayed aside BET switching button 42A, a unit BET button 43, a Re-BET button43E, a payback result display portion 45, and a number-of-creditsdisplay portion 46. The side BET switching button 42A is to be selectedwhen the player wishes to place a side BET. Namely, by touching thisside BET switching button 42A with the finger or the like, the normalBET screen 40 is switched to a later-described side BET screen 60 sothat a side BET can be placed.

The unit BET button 43 is used for betting a chip on the BET area 41specified by the player. The unit BET button 43 is configured by fourtypes of buttons: a 1-BET button 43A; a 5-BET button 43B; a 10-BETbutton 43C; and a 100-BET button 43D. It is to be noted that, when theBET operation is wrongly performed, it can be performed again bytouching a Re-BET button 43E with the finger or the like.

The player first touches the touch panel 35 with the finger or the liketo specify the BET area 41 by using a cursor 47. At this state, touchingthe 1-BET button 43A with the finger or the like enables the player toBET one chip at a time (the number of BETs increases in order of 1, 2,3, and so forth every time the 1-BET button 43A is touched with thefinger or the like). Similarly, touching the 5-BET button 43B with thefinger or the like enables the player to BET five chips at a time (thenumber of BETs increases in order of 5, 10, 15, and so forth every timethe 5-BET button 43B is touched with the finger or the like). Touchingthe 10-BET button 43C with the finger or the like enables the player toBET ten chips at a time (the number of BETs increases in order of 10,20, 30, and so forth every time the 10-BET button 43C is touched withthe finger or the like) Touching the 100-BET button 43D with the fingeror the like enables the player to BET one hundred chips at a time (thenumber of BETs increases in order of 100, 200, 300, and so forth everytime the 100-BET button 43D is touched with the finger or the like). Inthe BET areas 41, the number of BET chips up to the present moment isdisplayed as a chip mark 48, and a number displayed within the chip mark48 shows the number of BETs of chips.

In a payback result display portion 45, the number of BETs of chips ofthe player and the number of payback credits in the previous game aredisplayed. A number obtained by subtracting the number of BETs from thenumber of payback credits indicates the number of credits newly acquiredby the player in the previous game.

In the number-of-credits display portion 46, the number of credits ownedby the player is displayed. This number of credits decreases accordingto the number of BETs (one credit per one chip) when chips are BET.Further, when the BET chips are won and credits are paid back, thenumber of credits increases by the number of the paid back credits. Itis to be noted that, when the number of credits becomes 0, the game isended.

Next, the BET areas 41 on the normal BET screen 40 are described.

The BET areas 41A, 41B are portions used when the player places a BETbased on a prediction of the total value of the main dice 70A to 70C.Namely, the BET area 41A is selected when the total value is predictedto be 4 to 10, and the BET area 42B is selected when the total value ispredicted to be 11 to 17. The payout is set to 1:1 (two chips are paidout with respect to one BET).

The BET area 41C is a portion used when the player places a BET based ona prediction that the outcomes of two main dice 70 out of the three maindice 70 will be the same. Namely, the BET area 41C is used when theplayer places a BET based on a prediction that any of the combinationsof the outcomes (1, 1), (2, 2), (3, 3), (4, 4), (5, 5) and (6, 6) willappear, out of the outcomes of the three main dice 70; here, the payoutis set to 1:10.

The BET area 41D is a portion used when the player places a BET based ona prediction that all of the outcomes of the three main dice 70 will bethe same. Namely, the BET area 41D is used when the player places a BETbased on a prediction that the outcomes of the three main dice 70 willbe any of (1, 1, 1), (2, 2, 2), (3, 3, 3), (4, 4, 4), (5, 5, 5) and (6,6, 6). The payout is set to 1:30.

The BET area 41E is a portion used when the player places a BET based ona prediction that all of the outcomes of the three main dice 70 will bethe same, and a prediction of the value that the three main dice 70 willhave. Namely, the BET area 41E is used when the player places a BETbased on a prediction that the outcomes of the three main dice 70 willbe (1, 1, 1), (2, 2, 2), (3, 3, 3), (4, 4, 4), (5, 5, 5) or (6, 6, 6)and also a prediction of the value that the three main dice 70 willhave. The payout is set to 1:180.

The BET area 41F is a portion used when the player places a BET based ona prediction of the total value of the three main dice 70. The payout isset according to an appearance probability of the total value: thepayout is 1:60 when the total value is 4 or 17; 1:30 when the totalvalue is 5 or 16; 1:18 when the total value is 6 or 15; 1:12 when thetotal value is 7 or 14; 1:8 when the total value is 8 or 13; 1:7 whenthe total value is 9 or 12; and 1:6 when the total value is 10 or 11.

The BET area 41G is a portion used when the player places a BET based ona prediction of the outcomes of two main dice 70 out of the three maindice 70. The payout is set to 1:5.

The BET area 41H is a portion used when the player places a BET based ona prediction of the outcome of at least one main die 70 out of the maindice 70; the payout is set according to the number of the main dice 70with the outcome corresponding to the predicted outcome.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary view showing the display screen displayed to theimage display.

Touching the side BET switching button 42A on the normal BET screen 40with the finger or the like leads to a display of the side BET screen60. Here, among the display portions constituting this side BET screen60, the display portions having the same functions as those on thenormal BET screen 40 are provided with the same numerals as on thenormal BET screen 40, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

The side BET screen 60 is used when the player places a side BET basedon a prediction of the outcomes of the three main dice 70 and theoutcome of the sub die 700 displayed to the image display 7.

To the side BET screen 60, a plurality of BET areas 241 (a BET area241C, a BET area 241E, a BET area 241J) are displayed, and a BEToperation is performed by touching the touch panel 35 with the finger orthe like to specify the BET area 241, and making chips displayed in thespecified BET area 241.

The BET area 241C is a portion used when the player places a BET basedon a prediction that the outcomes of two dice out of the three main dice70 and the sub die 700 displayed to the image display 7 will be thesame. Namely, the BET area 241C is used when the player places a BETbased on a prediction that any of the combinations of the outcomes (1,1), (2, 2), (3, 3), (4, 4), (5, 5) and (6, 6) will appear, out of thethree main dice 70 and the sub die 700 displayed to the image display 7.The payout is set to 1:10.

The BET area 241E is a portion used when the player places a BET basedon a prediction that the outcomes of three dice out of the three maindice 70 and the sub die 700 displayed to the image display 7 will be thesame. Namely, the BET area 241E is used when the player places a BETbased on a prediction that any of the combinations of the outcomes (1,1, 1), (2, 2, 2), (3, 3, 3), (4, 4, 4), (5, 5, 5) and (6, 6, 6) willappear, out of the three main dice 70 and the sub die 700 displayed tothe image display 7. The payout is set to 1:50.

The BET area 241J is a portion used when the player places a BET basedon a prediction that all of the outcomes of three main dice 70 and thesub die 700 displayed to the image display 7 will be the same, and aprediction of the value that these four dice will have. Namely, the BETarea 241J is used when the player places a BET based on a predictionthat the outcomes of the four dice will be (1, 1, 1, 1), (2, 2, 2, 2),(3, 3, 3, 3), (4, 4, 4, 4), (5, 5, 5, 5) or (6, 6, 6, 6) and aprediction of the value that these four dice will have; the payout isset to 1:1000.

In the lower portion of the side BET screen 60, a normal BET switchingbutton 42B is displayed. Touching the normal BET switching button 42Bwith the finger or the like switches the side BET screen 60 to thenormal BET screen 40 accepting a normal BET.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a maincontrol portion 80 in the gaming machine shown in FIG. 2.

The main control portion 80 of the gaming machine 1 has a microcomputer85, which mainly comprises a CPU 81, a ROM 82, a RAM 83, and a bus 84that transfers data mutually thereamong.

The CPU 81 is connected to the rotating-plate driving motor 300A, thestopping-plate driving motor 300B and the carriage driving motor 300C,through an I/O interface 90. Further, through the I/O interface 90, theCPU 81 is connected to a timer 131 capable of measuring time. The I/Ointerface 90 is also connected with the foregoing outcome detectingdevice 15, and transmits and receives information on the outcomes of thethree main dice 70 having stopped on the stopping plate 3 c, and thelike, to and from the outcome detecting device 15. Moreover, the I/Ointerface 90 is connected with a communication interface 95; throughthis communication interface 95, the main control portion 80 transmitsand receives data such as BET information, information on the outcome ofthe sub die 700, and payout information, to and from each station 4.

The ROM 82 of the main control portion 80 stores programs for realizinga basic function of the gaming machine 1, specifically a program forcontrolling a variety of devices for driving the gaming portion 3, aprogram for controlling each station 4, and the like, and also stores apayout table, data showing predetermined time T, data showing a specificvalue TT, and the like.

The RAM 83 is a memory that temporarily stores a variety of datacalculated in the CPU 81. For example, the RAM 83 temporarily stores BETinformation and information on the outcome of the sub die 700transmitted from each station 4, information on the outcomes of the maindice 70 transmitted from the outcome detecting device 15, data onresults of processing executed by the CPU 81, and the like.

Based on the data and programs stored in the ROM 82 and the RAM 83, theCPU 81 controls the rotating-plate driving motor 300A, thestopping-plate driving motor 300B and the carriage driving motor 300Cwhich drive the gaming portion 3, throws the main dice 70 onto therotating plate 3 b of the gaming portion 3, and performs some otheroperations. Further, the CPU 81 executes control processing associatedwith the proceeding of the game, such as processing of checking theoutcome of each of the main dice 70 having stopped on the stopping plate3 c.

In addition to the control processing associated with the proceeding ofthe game, the CPU 81 has the function of controlling each station 4 soas to make the game proceed, by transmitting and receiving data to andfrom each station 4. Specifically, the CPU 81 receives BET informationtransmitted from each station 4 and information on the outcome of thesub die 700. Further, based on the outcomes of the main dice 70, theoutcome of the sub die 700 and the BET information transmitted from eachstation 4, the CPU 81 performs winning determination processing, tocalculate an amount of payout to be paid out at each station 4 withreference to the payout table stored in the ROM 82.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of thestation shown in FIG. 2.

The station 4 includes a body portion 100 provided with the imagedisplay 7 and the like, and the game media accepting device 5 installedon the body portion 100. Further, the body portion 100 includes astation-controlling portion 110 and several peripheral devices.

The station-controlling portion 110 includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, and aRAM 113.

The ROM 112 stores a program for realizing a basic function of thestation 4, a variety of programs necessary for controlling the station4, a data table, and the like.

The RAM 113 is a memory that temporarily stores a variety of datacalculated in the CPU 111, the number of credits owned by the player,the state of BETs placed by the player, and the like.

The CPU 111 is connected separately with the confirmation button 30, thepayback button 31, and the help button 32 which are provided in thecontrol portion 6. Further, based on an operation signal output at thepress of each button or the like, the CPU 111 performs control so as toexecute a variety of operations corresponding to the signal.Specifically, the CPU 111 executes a variety of processing, based on aninput signal that is supplied from the control portion 6 when the playerhas input an operation and on the data and programs stored in the ROM112 and the RAM 113, and transmits the results of the processing to theCPU 81 of the main control portion 80.

Further, the CPU 111 receives a command signal from the CPU 81 of themain control portion 80, to control the peripheral devices constitutingthe station 4. Moreover, the CPU 111 executes a variety of processing,based on input signals supplied from the control portion 6 and the touchpanel 35 and on the data and programs stored in the ROM 112 and the RAM113. Based on the results of the processing, the CPU 111 controls theperipheral devices constituting the station 4. It is to be noted thatwhich method is to be applied in performing the processing is set foreach processing according to the content of the processing. For example,the processing of paying out game media corresponds to the former, andthe BET operation processing by the player corresponds to the latter.

The CPU 111 is connected with a hopper 114, and the hopper 114 pays outa predetermined number of game media from the payout exit 8 based on acommand signal from the CPU 111.

The CPU 111 is connected with the image display 7 through a liquidcrystal driving circuit 120. The liquid crystal driving circuit 120includes a program ROM, an image ROM, an image control CPU, a work RAM,a VDP (video display processor), a video RAM, and the like. The programROM stores an image control program regarding display to the imagedisplay 7 and a variety of selection tables. The image ROM stores, forexample, dot data for forming an image displayed to the image display 7.Further, based on parameters set in the CPU 111, the image control CPUdetermines an image to be displayed to the image display 7 out of thedot data previously stored inside the image ROM, according to the imagecontrol program previously stored inside the program ROM. Moreover, thework RAM is configured as a temporary storage means in execution of theimage control program in the image control CPU. Further, the VDP formsan image according to the display contents determined by the imagecontrol CPU, and outputs the image to the image display 7. It is to benoted that the video RAM is configured as a temporary storage means information of an image by the VDP.

The touch panel 35 is installed on the front surface of the imagedisplay 7, as described above, and information on the operation of thetouch panel 35 is transmitted to the CPU 111. The touch panel 35 detectsan input operation performed by the player on the normal BET screen 40,the side BET screen 60 and the like. Specifically, selection of the BETareas 41 of the normal BET screen 40 and the BET areas 241 of the sideBET screen 60, input using the unit BET buttons 43 and the like areperformed by the operation of touching the touch panel 35, and theinformation of the operation is transmitted to the CPU 111. Based on theinformation, BET information of the player is stored in the RAM 113.Further, the BET information is transmitted to the CPU 81 of the maincontrol portion 80, and stored in the BET information storage area inthe RAM 83.

Further, the sound output circuit 126 and the speakers 9 are connectedto the CPU 111, and the speakers 9 generate a variety of effect soundswhen a variety of effects are produced based on output signals from thesound output circuit 126. Moreover, the CPU 111 is connected with thegame media accepting device 5 functioning as a device into which gamemedia such as medals or currency are inserted. A data receiving portion127 receives a credit signal transmitted from the game media acceptingdevice 5, and the CPU 111 increases the number of credits of the playerstored in the RAM 113 based on the transmitted credit signal.

The CPU 111 is connected with a random number generator 130 thatgenerates a random number.

FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C are flowcharts showing game processing according tothe present embodiment.

It is to be noted that in FIG. 10A to FIG. 10C, only processing in oneof the stations 4 is shown for preventing complexity.

The main control portion 80 performs operations of steps S100 to S109.

First, in step S100, the CPU 81 transmits a BET start signal to eachstation 4.

In step S101, the CPU 81 starts measurement of elapsed time t by usingthe timer 131. Next, the CPU 81 compares the elapsed time t measured bythe timer 131 with data indicating predetermined time T stored in theROM 82, and then determines whether or not the elapsed time t measuredby the timer 131 has reached the predetermined time T (step S102).

When determining in step S102 that the elapsed time t has not reachedthe predetermined time T, the CPU 81 returns the processing to stepS102. On the other hand, when determining in step S102 that the elapsedtime t has reached the predetermined time T, the CPU 81 transmits a BETend signal to each station 4 (step S103).

The CPU 81 determines whether or not the difference between the elapsedtime t measured by the timer 131 and the predetermined time T stored inthe ROM 82 has become a specific value TT stored in the ROM 82 (stepS104). In the processing, the CPU 81 first subtracts the predeterminedtime T stored in the ROM 82 from the elapsed time t measured by thetimer 131. The CPU 81 further compares the numeric value obtained by thesubtraction with the specific value TT stored in the ROM 82, anddetermines whether or not the numeric value obtained by the subtractionhas become the specific value TT stored in the ROM 82. By appropriatelysetting data showing the specific value TT, setting can be made suchthat processing of rolling the main dice 70 can be performed at adesired timing.

When determining in step S104 that the difference between the elapsedtime t and the predetermined time T has not become the specific valueTT, the CPU 81 returns the processing to step S104. On the other hand,when determining in step S104 that the difference between the elapsedtime t and the predetermined time T has become the specific value TT,the CPU 81 transmits a rolling start signal to each station 4 (stepS105).

The CPU 81 executes processing of rolling the main dice 70 in step S106.In the processing, based on the data and programs stored in the ROM 82and the RAM 83, the CPU 81 controls the rotating-plate driving motor300A, the stopping-plate driving motor 300B and the carriage drivingmotor 300C so as to perform control of throwing in the main dice 70,control of rolling the main dice 70, control of stopping the main dice70, and the like. Further, the CPU 81 executes control processingassociated with the proceeding of the game, such as processing ofchecking the outcome of each of the main dice 70 having stopped on thestopping plate 3 c and the like.

In step S107, the CPU 81 executes normal-payout amount determinationprocessing. In the processing, the CPU 81 executes winning determinationprocessing, based on the information on the outcomes of the main dice 70having stopped on the stopping plate 3 c and the BET informationreceived from each station 4. The CPU 81 then calculates an amount ofnormal payout to be paid out at each station 4 with reference to thepayout table stored in the ROM 82.

In step S108, the CPU 81 executes special-payout amount determinationprocessing. In the processing, the CPU 81 executes winning determinationprocessing, based on the information on the outcomes of the main dice 70having stopped on the stopping plate 3 c, information on the outcome ofthe sub die 700 received from each station 4, and the BET informationreceived from each station 4. The CPU 81 then calculates an amount ofspecial payout to be paid out at each station with reference to thepayout table stored in the ROM 82.

In step S109, the CPU 81 transmits payout information to each station 4.In the processing, the CPU 81 transmits, to each station 4, informationon the amount of normal payout determined in step S107 and the amount ofspecial payout determined in step S108.

Meanwhile, each station 4 executes respective operations of steps S10 toS22.

First, in step S10, the CPU 111 determines whether or not a BET startsignal has been received from the main control portion 80. Whendetermining that the BET start signal has not been received, the CPU 111returns the processing to step S10. On the other hand, when determiningthat the BET start signal has been received, the CPU 111 shifts theprocessing to step S11.

The CPU 111 executes BET-image display processing in step S11. In theprocessing, the CPU 111 displays the normal BET screen 40 shown in FIG.6 to the image display 7.

The CPU 111 executes BET-operation acceptance processing in step S12. Inthe processing, the CPU 111 accepts a normal BET input by the playerthrough the touch panel 35. Further, the CPU 111 displays the side BETscreen 60 to the image display 7 according to the input operationperformed by the player through the touch panel 35. The CPU 111 thenaccepts a side BET input.

The CPU 111 determines whether or not a side BET input has been acceptedin step S12 (step S13). When determining that the side BET input has notbeen accepted, the CPU 111 shifts the processing to step S16. On theother hand, when determining that the side BET input has been accepted,the CPU 111 shifts the processing to step S14.

The CPU 111 executes processing of determining the outcome of the subdie 700 in step S14. In the processing, the CPU 111 determines theoutcome of the sub die 700 from the values of 1 to 6, by using a randomnumber.

The CPU 111 starts sub dice rolling processing in step S15. In the subdice rolling processing, the CPU 111 starts processing of displaying animage showing the state of rolling of the sub die 700 to the imagedisplay 7. The sub dice rolling processing is executed until sub dicestopping processing is executed in step S20.

Next, the CPU 111 determines whether or not a BET end signal has beenreceived from the main control portion 80 (step S16). When determiningthat the BET end signal has not been received, the CPU 111 returns theprocessing to step S12. On the other hand, when determining that the BETend signal has been received, the CPU 111 shifts the processing to stepS17.

The CPU 111 transmits the BET information to the main control portion 80in step S17. In the processing, the CPU 111 transmits to the maincontrol portion 80 information regarding the normal BET input and theside BET input, the information having been accepted in step S12, as BETinformation. It is to be noted that the BET information includes theidentification number of the station 4.

The CPU 111 determines whether or not a rolling start signal has beenreceived from the main control portion 80 (step S18). When determiningthat the rolling start signal has not been received, the CPU 111 returnsthe processing to step S18. On the other hand, when determining that therolling start signal has been received, the CPU 111 shifts theprocessing to step S19.

The CPU 111 determines whether or not a side BET input has been acceptedin step S12 (step S19). When determining that the side BET input has notbeen accepted, the CPU 111 shifts the processing to step S22. On theother hand, when determining that the side BET input has been accepted,the CPU 111 shifts the processing to step S20.

The CPU 111 executes sub dice stopping processing in step S20. In theprocessing, the CPU 111 displays to the image display 7 an image showingthe state of stopping of the sub die 700 with the outcome determined instep S14. One example of the images of the sub die 700 displayed to theimage display 7 is shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a view showing one example of the display screens displayed tothe image display.

In FIG. 1, the sub dice stop image 242 showing the state of stopping ofthe sub die 700 is displayed in the lower right portion of the side BETscreen 60 shown in FIG. 7. In the present embodiment, this sub dice stopimage 242 is displayed in the case of accepting the side BET input instep S12. In FIG. 1, the outcome of the sub die 700 is 1.

Returning to FIG. 10B, the CPU 111 transmits to the main control portion80 information on the outcome of the sub die 700 which has beendetermined in step S14 (step S21). It is to be noted that theinformation on the outcome of the sub die 700 includes an identificationnumber of the station 4.

The CPU 111 executes payout processing in step S22. In the processing,based on the payout information received from the main control portion80, the CPU 111 updates the number of credits of the player stored inthe RAM 113, and also updates display of the payback result displayportion 45 and the number-of-credits display portion 46.

As described above, according to the gaming machine 1 and the controlmethod of the gaming machine 1, a side BET can be input based on aprediction of the outcomes of the three main dice 70 and the outcome ofthe sub die 700. Since the number of betting objects is large in theside BET as compared with the normal BET in which only the outcomes ofthe three main dice 70 are predicted, the player has wider options inbetting so as to be prevented from becoming tired of the game. Further,with the number of dice increased, a betting object having an extremelylow appearance probability is generated; hence, for example byincreasing a payout rate of that betting object, it is possible to makethe player have a high expectation toward a high payout.

According to the gaming machine 1 and the control method of the gamingmachine 1, two types of BETs and payouts, a normal payout for the normalBET and a special payout for the side BET, are prepared. Therefore, itis possible to make the player feel enjoyment which cannot be felt inthe conventional dice games and to improve the interesting aspect of thegame.

An image showing the state of stopping of the sub die 700 is displayedonly in the station 4 where the side BET has been input. Hence, it ispossible to have a player, who is playing a game in the station 4 wherethe image showing the state of stopping of the sub die 700 is displayed,to indulge in a feeling of superiority.

Every time the input of the side BET is accepted, the outcome of the subdie 700, which is displayed to the image display 7 provided in thestation 4 where the accepted input of the side BET has been entered, isdetermined; therefore, the outcome of the sub die 700 varies dependingon each station 4. Namely, even when a plurality of players have placedthe side BETs on the same betting object, since the outcome of the subdie 700 varies in each station 4, the prediction of one player comestrue while that of another player does not. Therefore, it is possible tomake the player play a game with enjoyment as compared with the case ofuniformly determining the outcome of the sub die 700, thereby making theplayer engrossed in the game.

When it is determined that the side BET has been accepted, an imageshowing the state of rolling of the sub die 700 is displayed to theimage display 7 provided in the station 4. This allows the player to seethat another player has placed a side BET when looking at display of animage showing the state of rolling of a sub die 700 in a station 4 whereanother player is playing a game. Therefore, according to theabove-mentioned gaming machine 1 and the control method of the gamingmachine 1, it is possible to have players around the player havingplaced the side BET to feel a desire to place a side BET.

According to the gaming machine 1 and the control method of the gamingmachine 1, a special payout in amount according to the number of dicewith the same outcome is offered. Since the amount of the special payoutcan be determined in an easily understandable manner, it is possible toallow even a beginner to play a game without having a sense ofdiscomfort.

Although the case has been described in the present embodiment where onesub die 700 is displayed to the image display 7, the number of the subdice to be displayed to the image display is not limited in the presentinvention; for example, five sub dice may be used. Further, the numberof the sub dice to be displayed to the image display may be selectableby the player.

Although the case has been described in the present embodiment wherethree main dice 70 are used, the number of the main dice is not limitedin the present invention; for example, five main dice may be used.

Although the case has been described in the present embodiment where theoutcome of the sub die 700 is determined by using a random number, themethod for determining the outcome of the sub die is not particularlylimited in the present invention; for example, a table where the orderof the outcomes of the sub die is stored may be previously prepared, andthe outcome of the sub die may be determined based on the table.

Although the case has been described in the present embodiment where theoutcome of the sub die 700 displayed to the image display 7 can vary ineach station, the outcome of the sub die may be uniform in all thestations in the present invention. In this case, the outcome of the subdie 700 is determined in the main control portion 80, and theinformation on the outcome of the sub die 700 is transmitted to eachstation 4.

Although the case has been described in the present embodiment where thereal main dice 70 roll in the gaming portion 3, a configuration may beadopted in the present invention in which a main image display isinstalled separately from the image display provided in the station andan image showing the state of rolling of the main dice is displayed tothe main image display, without using real main dice.

In this case, the CPU 81 is connected, through the I/O interface 90,with a random number generator 130B and a liquid crystal driving circuit120B equivalent to the liquid crystal driving circuit 120 provided inthe station 4. Further, the CPU 81 is connected with a main imagedisplay 701 through the liquid crystal driving circuit 120B.

After transmitting a rolling start signal to the station 4, the CPU 81determines the outcome of each of the main dice 70 by using a randomnumber. The CPU 81 then displays an image showing the state of rollingof the main dice 70 to the main image display 701. The CPU 81 furtherdisplays an image showing the state of the stopping of the main dice 70with the determined outcomes, to the main image display 701.

Although the case has been described in the present embodiment where theimage display is not installed in any place other than the station 4, aconfiguration may be adopted in the present invention in which the mainimage display is installed in the gaming machine separately from theimage display provided in the station and an image showing the state ofrolling of the main dice in the gaming portion is displayed to the mainimage display.

In this case, the CPU 81 is connected, through the I/O interface 90,with a main dice photographing device 701 having a CCD camera 17B andthe liquid crystal driving circuit 120B equivalent to the liquid crystaldriving circuit 120 provided in the station 4. Further, the CPU 81 isconnected with the main dice photographing device 701 through the liquidcrystal driving circuit 120B. The CCD camera 17B provided in the maindice photographing device 701 is installed at an angle that allowsphotographing of the gaming portion 3.

The CPU 81 displays an image showing the state of rolling of the maindice 70 in the gaming portion 3 to the main image display 701, based onthe signal transmitted from the main dice photographing device 701.

Although the case has been described in the present embodiment where theoutcomes of the main dice 70 are detected using the CCD camera 17, themethod for detecting the outcomes of the main dice is not particularlylimited in the present invention. For example, an identifiable device,such as a device reactive to magnetism, may be previously imbeddedinside each of the main dice, and its outcome may be detected by the useof a magnetic change in the device. Moreover, an optical sensor may beused to detect the outcomes of the main dice.

Although the case has been described in the present embodiment where themain dice 70 are rolled using the rotating-plate driving motor 300A, thestopping-plate driving motor 300B and the carriage driving motor 300C,the method for rolling the main dice is not particularly limited; forexample, a configuration may be adopted in which the main dice arerolled on a vibration plate. Further, the main dice may not becollected, but may be in a constantly exposed state inside the gamingportion.

Although the case has been described in the present embodiment where thecontroller in the present invention includes the CPU 81 provided in themain control portion 80 and the CPU 111 provided in the station 4, thecontroller in the present invention may be configured by a single CPU.

Although the present invention has been described with reference toembodiments thereof, these embodiments merely illustrate specificexamples, not restrict the present invention. The specific structures ofrespective means and the like can be designed and changed as required.Furthermore, there have been merely described most preferable effects ofthe present invention, as the effects of the present invention, in theembodiments of the present invention. The effects of the presentinvention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of thepresent invention.

Further, in the aforementioned detailed description, characteristicportions have been mainly described, for ease of understanding thepresent invention. The present invention is not limited to theembodiments described in the aforementioned detailed description, butcan be also applied to other embodiments over a wider range ofapplications. Further, the terms and phrases used in the presentspecification have been used for clearly describing the presentinvention, not for limiting the interpretation of the present invention.Further, those skilled in the art will easily conceive other structures,systems, methods and the like which are included in the concept of thepresent invention, from the concept of the present invention describedin the present specification. Accordingly, the description of the claimsis intended to include equivalent structures that fall within thetechnical scope of the invention. Further, the abstract aims at enablingengineers and the like who belong to the present technical field but arenot familiar with the patent office and public institutions, the patent,law terms and technical terms to immediately understand the technicalcontent and the essence of the present application through briefstudies. Accordingly, the abstract is not intended to restrict the scopeof the invention which should be evaluated from the description of theclaims. It is desirable that literatures and the like which have beenalready disclosed are sufficiently studied and understood, in order tosufficiently understand the objects of the present invention and thespecific effects of the present invention.

In the aforementioned detailed description, there has been describedprocessing to be executed by computers. The aforementioned descriptionand expressions have been described for the sake of enabling thoseskilled in the art to understand the present invention most effectively.In the present specification, each step for deriving a single resultshould be understood to be self-consistent processing. Further, eachstep includes transmission, reception, recording and the like ofelectric or magnetic signals. Although, in the processing at each step,such signals have been expressed as bits, values, symbols, characters,terms, numerical characters and the like, it should be noticed that theyhave been merely used for convenience of description. Further, althoughthe processing at each step was described using expressions common tohuman behaviors in some cases, the processes described in the presentspecification are to be executed by various types of devices, inprinciple. Further, other structures required for conducting each stepwill be apparent from the aforementioned description.

1. A gaming machine, comprising: a gaming portion in which a pluralityof main dice roll and stop; a station having an input device with whicha player can place a normal BET and a side BET different from saidnormal BET, based on a prediction of the outcomes of dice, and an imagedisplay capable of displaying an image; and a controller, saidcontroller programmed to execute the processing of (A) accepting saidnormal BET from said input device provided in said station, (B)accepting said side BET from said input device provided in said station,(C) rolling and stopping the plurality of said main dice in said gamingportion, (D) determining the outcome of a sub die to be displayed tosaid image display provided in said station, (E) displaying at least animage showing the state of stopping of said sub die with the outcomedetermined in said processing (D), to said image display provided insaid station where said side BET has been input, (F) offering a normalpayout based on the outcomes of the plurality of said main dice stoppedin said processing (C) and said normal BET accepted in said processing(A), and (G) offering a special payout based on the outcomes of theplurality of said main dice stopped in said processing (C), the outcomeof said sub die displayed in said processing (E), and said side BETaccepted in said processing (B).
 2. The gaming machine according toclaim 1, wherein said processing (D) includes determining, every time aninput of said side BET is accepted in said processing (B), the outcomeof a sub die to be displayed to said image display provided in saidstation where the accepted input of said side BET has been entered. 3.The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said controller isfurther programmed to execute processing of (H) determining whether ornot said side BET has been accepted in said processing (B), and saidprocessing (E) includes displaying an image showing the state ofstopping of said sub die with the outcome determined in said processing(D) to said image display provided in said station where said side BEThas been input, after displaying an image showing the state of rollingof said sub die upon determination of acceptance of said side BET insaid processing (H).
 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, whereinsaid processing (G) includes offering a special payout in amountcorresponding to the number of dice with the same outcome.
 5. A gamingmachine, comprising: a main image display capable of displaying animage; a station having an input device with which a player can place anormal BET and a side BET different from said normal BET, based on aprediction of the outcomes of dice, and an image display capable ofdisplaying an image; and a controller, said controller programmed toexecute the processing of (A) accepting said normal BET from said inputdevice provided in said station, (B) accepting said side BET from saidinput device provided in said station, (C) determining the outcomes of aplurality of main dice to be displayed to said main image display, (D)displaying at least an image showing the state of stopping of theplurality of said main dice with the outcomes determined in saidprocessing (C), to said main image display, (E) determining the outcomeof a sub die to be displayed to said image display provided in saidstation, (F) displaying at least an image showing the state of stoppingof said sub die with the outcome determined in said processing (E), tosaid image display provided in said station where said side BET has beeninput, (G) offering a normal payout based on the outcomes of theplurality of said main dice displayed in said processing (D) and saidnormal BET accepted in said processing (A), and (H) offering a specialpayout based on the outcomes of the plurality of said main dicedisplayed in said processing (D), the outcome of said sub die displayedin said processing (F), and said side BET accepted in said processing(B).
 6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein said processing(E) includes determining, every time an input of said side BET isaccepted in said processing (B), the outcome of a sub die to bedisplayed to said image display provided in said station where theaccepted input of said side BET has been entered.
 7. The gaming machineaccording to claim 5, wherein said controller is further programmed toexecute processing of (I) determining whether or not said side BET hasbeen accepted in said processing (B), and said processing (F) includesdisplaying an image showing the state of stopping of said sub die withthe outcome determined in said processing (E) to said image displayprovided in said station where said side BET has been input, afterdisplaying an image showing the state of rolling of said sub die upondetermination of acceptance of said side BET in said processing (I). 8.The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein said processing (H)includes offering a special payout in amount according to the number ofdice with the same outcome.
 9. A control method of a gaming machine, themethod comprising the steps of: (A) accepting a normal BET from an inputdevice with which a player can place said normal BET and a side BETdifferent from said normal BET, based on a prediction of the outcomes ofdice, said input device being provided in a station; (B) accepting saidside BET from said input device provided in said station; (C) rollingand stopping a plurality of main dice in a gaming portion in which theplurality of said main dice roll and stop; (D) determining the outcomeof a sub die to be displayed to an image display capable of displayingan image, said image display being provided in said station; (E)displaying at least an image showing the state of stopping of said subdie with the outcome determined in said step (D), to said image displayprovided in said station where said side BET has been input; (F)offering a normal payout based on the outcomes of the plurality of saidmain dice stopped in said step (C) and said normal BET accepted in saidstep (A); and (G) offering a special payout based on the outcomes of theplurality of said main dice stopped in said step (C), the outcome ofsaid sub die displayed in said step (E), and said side BET accepted insaid step (B).
 10. A control method of the gaming machine, the methodcomprising the steps of: (A) accepting a normal BET from an input devicewith which a player can place said normal BET and a side BET differentfrom said normal BET, based on a prediction of the outcomes of dice,said input device being provided in a station; (B) accepting said sideBET from said input device provided in said station; (C) determining theoutcomes of a plurality of main dice to be displayed to a main imagedisplay capable of displaying an image; (D) displaying at least an imageshowing the state of stopping of the plurality of said main dice withthe outcomes determined in said processing (C), to said main imagedisplay; (E) determining the outcome of a sub die to be displayed to animage display capable of displaying an image, said image display beingprovided in said station; (F) displaying at least an image showing thestate of stopping of said sub die with the outcome determined in saidstep (E), to said image display provided in said station where said sideBET has been input; (G) offering a normal payout based on the outcomesof the plurality of said main dice displayed in said step (D) and saidnormal BET accepted in said step (A); and (H) offering a special payoutbased on the outcomes of the plurality of said main dice displayed insaid step (D), the outcome of said sub die displayed in said step (F),and said side BET accepted in said step (B).